open access

Vol 52, No 3 (2018)
Case reports
Submitted: 2017-07-05
Published online: 2018-02-06
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Hypoglossal nerve paralysis in a child after a dental procedure

Simona D. Marino1, Laura Schiavone1, Flavia M.C. La Mendola1, Tiziana Timpanaro1, Maria Elena Cucuzza1, Filippo Greco1, Pierluigi Smilari1, Agata Fiumara1, Andrea Domenico Praticò12
DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2018.01.006
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2018;52(3):406-409.
Affiliations
  1. Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
  2. Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London

open access

Vol 52, No 3 (2018)
Case reports
Submitted: 2017-07-05
Published online: 2018-02-06

Abstract

Unilateral palsy of the hypoglossal nerve is a rare complication of orthodontic procedures. The main reported causes of HNP are: orthopedic and otorhinolaryngology surgical interventions, and in particular maneuvers involving compression or overstretching of the hypoglossal nerve, dental procedures and traumas, and also infections, motoneuron disorders, tumors, vascular diseases. Diagnosis is usually performed by electrophysiology studies (EMG-VCN), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to exclude other causes. The prognosis depends on the location and extension of the damage. Currently there is not a standardized treatment approach except the speech therapy, although, in some cases, the high-dose steroid treatment could be useful. We describe the case of a ten-year-old female, who was admitted in our Unit after a deviation of the tongue associated with dysarthria and dysphagia, occurred after the application of a mobile orthodontic device.

Abstract

Unilateral palsy of the hypoglossal nerve is a rare complication of orthodontic procedures. The main reported causes of HNP are: orthopedic and otorhinolaryngology surgical interventions, and in particular maneuvers involving compression or overstretching of the hypoglossal nerve, dental procedures and traumas, and also infections, motoneuron disorders, tumors, vascular diseases. Diagnosis is usually performed by electrophysiology studies (EMG-VCN), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to exclude other causes. The prognosis depends on the location and extension of the damage. Currently there is not a standardized treatment approach except the speech therapy, although, in some cases, the high-dose steroid treatment could be useful. We describe the case of a ten-year-old female, who was admitted in our Unit after a deviation of the tongue associated with dysarthria and dysphagia, occurred after the application of a mobile orthodontic device.

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Keywords

Hypoglossal palsy, Orthodontic procedures, Seddon/Sunderland classification

About this article
Title

Hypoglossal nerve paralysis in a child after a dental procedure

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 52, No 3 (2018)

Pages

406-409

Published online

2018-02-06

Page views

411

Article views/downloads

884

DOI

10.1016/j.pjnns.2018.01.006

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2018;52(3):406-409.

Keywords

Hypoglossal palsy
Orthodontic procedures
Seddon/Sunderland classification

Authors

Simona D. Marino
Laura Schiavone
Flavia M.C. La Mendola
Tiziana Timpanaro
Maria Elena Cucuzza
Filippo Greco
Pierluigi Smilari
Agata Fiumara
Andrea Domenico Praticò

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